Making (and Breaking) Goals with Style
It’s New Year’s Resolutions Time!
It’s that time of year…again!
The gyms are packed, the planners are fresh, and everyone is convinced that this is the year they’ll become a whole new person.
But let’s be honest, for most of us, by February, our resolutions have slipped away faster than we can say, “I’ll start on Monday.”
Here’s a fun look at why resolutions are so hard to stick to and why sometimes that’s totally okay.
1. The optimism is real – but so is the reality
At the start of the year, our optimism is unstoppable.
We’re determined to crush every goal from eating only kale to becoming an expert meditator at home or at work. But once the shine of the new year fades, so does our enthusiasm.
Studies show that nearly 80% of people abandon their resolutions by February! So, if you find yourself drifting from your goals, know that you’re in good company.
2. Why “all-or-nothing” doesn’t typically work
We often set super-strict goals for the new year, thinking we’ll magically transform into disciplined, superhuman versions of ourselves.
But the “all-or-nothing” mindset tends to backfire. One skipped workout or cheat meal can make us feel like we’ve failed, leading us to give up entirely.
Instead of committing to perfection, it’s okay to aim for progress and let yourself be human.
3. Life gets in the way, and that’s just fine
Resolutions are often created in an idealised world, where we’re not swamped with work deadlines, family obligations, or unexpected Netflix series that demand binge-watching.
Life will throw curveballs, and those “perfect” routines can be hard to follow. So, if life throws a wrench in your plans, give yourself permission to adjust – flexibility and adaptability is the real secret to long-term change.
4. Most of us love “instant gratification”
Long-term goals are exciting, and it feels great at the time when making them, but they don’t give us the quick dopamine hits we crave.
It’s much easier to enjoy a bowl of ice cream right now than to imagine finally completing that marathon in nine months – phew.
For a lot of us, focusing on small, immediate wins – like watching one less episode on a weeknight – can work better than huge, year-long resolutions.
5. Laugh it off, don’t stress it out!
Breaking resolutions isn’t a tragedy; it’s a classic part of the resolution making tradition!
Instead of feeling guilty or defeated, have a laugh and reflect on the why behind your goal.
Did you really want to hit the gym six days a week, or did it just sound like the “right” thing to do? If a resolution doesn’t bring you joy or feel meaningful, it’s okay to let it go (or turn it into something more manageable).
So that was fun – but here’s the secret: resolutions can be flexible
Here’s a radical idea – your New Year’s resolutions can change and if you allow yourself flexibility/adjustment you might actually achieve some!
Goals evolve, and so do we. If you set an ambitious resolution, feel free to adjust – it is after all, your resolution not anybody else’s.
Don’t want to make any New Year’s resolutions at all? That’s totally valid, too! The new year is just a calendar change, not a deadline. Consider another start date for any new goals.
So, whether you’re an “all-in” kind of person on your resolutions or embracing a “see what happens” approach, make 2025 a year that’s fun, flexible, and forgiving.
Cheers to that!
